Trump promised to give Ukraine Patriot systems and said the EU would pay for them

US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to provide Ukraine with Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems, stressing that these systems are critically needed to protect against Russian shelling.

He told reporters at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., Reuters quoted him as saying.

According to Trump, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin demonstrates one thing in public, but conducts aggressive actions under the cover of night.

«We will send Patriot, which they really need, because Putin has really surprised a lot of people. He speaks well and then bombs everyone in the evening. But there is a small problem here. I don't like it,» Donald Trump said.

Trump stressed that the Patriot should strengthen Kyiv's defence capabilities, although he added that he did not like some aspects of the process.

Although the exact number of systems to be transferred was not specified, Trump stressed that the European Union would compensate for the cost of the delivery. According to him, the United States will provide Ukraine with high-tech weapons, and the EU will fully cover their cost, which is in line with the approach that the United States is seeking to take.

«We are going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military equipment. They will pay us 100% for it, and that's what we want ,» he added.

Trump also announced a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to be held this week. The main topics of the talks will be the situation in Ukraine and other important international issues.

Earlier, the media reported that the suspended supply of US military aid to Ukraine may resume after a series of high-level meetings in Italy and Ukraine next week.